TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
SYSTEM VOLUME STUDIES
INTRODUCTION
Successful implementation of a water treatment
program requires that the system’s water holding
capacity/volume is known. This information aids the
following:
Selecting the quantity of chemical needed to
preclean a system.
Calculating the initial treatment chemical
dosages.
Estimating and evaluating the antimicrobial agent
feedrates; i.e., shot dosages.
Normally, the boiler manufacturer’s literature or
manual indicates the boiler’s water holding capacity
in a flooded condition and at its normal operating
level. This same information is often unavailable for
closed loop systems (heating and/or cooling), open
recirculating cooling towers and air washer systems.
The system’s sump capacity can be calculated if
dimensions are known or if they can be measured.
The holding capacity of the system’s piping can be
difficult to measure as well as time-consuming.
Consequently, it is typical that the system volume can
only be estimated at best. Considering the
importance and value of knowing a system volume, it
is well worth while to pursue an accurate
measurement.
DETERMINING SYSTEM VOLUME
The system’s holding capacity can be readily
obtained by chemical addition and analysis if three of
the following four items are known.
Concentration1 x Quantity1 = Concentration2 x Quantity2
Where,
Quanty1 = system water volume, LBs.
+6
Concentration1 = tracer measured in system, ppm as Mo
Quantity2 = Lbs. of tracer-containing product added
Concentration2 = tracer concentration in product, ppm as
+6
Mo
Known quantities of sodium chloride and other
chemicals have been employed for system volume
measurement.
However, the addition of NaCl concentration
necessary, based on analytical accuracy, can be
corrosive to the system metals (especially copper
and aluminum metals).
Lithium chloride brine is also used for this purpose
and can be fed at very low concentrations. However,
lithium requires sophisticated analytical capabilities
(atomic absorption or equivalent) and consequently
can not be measured onsite.
Sodium molybdate is a salt that can be measured
down to low detection levels (consequently high
concentrations are not required) and the
measurement can be done accurately onsite using a
colorimeter (consequently the analytical cost is low
and testing can be done onsite). Normally, the water
will not contain molybdate unless sodium molybdate
has been added as a chemical treatment. However,
unless it is certain the system is void of sodium
molybdate treatment, it is best to sample and analyze
the water before and after the tracer molybdate
addition.
VOLUME MEASUREMENT CALCULATION
Concentration1 x Quantity1 = Concentration2 x Quantity2, or
Water Vol., Lbs. = (Concentration of tracer in product x
Lbs. tracer added) (Concentration of tracer measured)
Note 1: untreated water will typically be free of molybdate.
However, it is always best to sample for background
molybdate to ensure study accuracy. Obviously, a system
known to have molybdate should be tested before & after.
Subtract the background molybdate from the “test”
molybdate to determine true tracer measured.
Example Criteria:
The concentration of sodium molybdate as Mo+6 in
FORMULA 1250 is 80,000 ppm. Thus, the above
equation can be reduced to:
Lbs. water = (80,000 ppm) x (Lbs. Product Added)
(“Test” molybdate – “Background” molybdate
measured in ppm as Mo+6)
Example Data: 4. After adding a known quantity to the system,
allow some time for mixing of the molybdate in
- 2.5 LB product added to system. the system (say ½ - 1 hour) if system is relatively
- 0 ppm molybdate tested before product addition void of “stagnant” areas.
- 24 ppm molybdate tested after product addition
5. Collect a representative water sample for
Lbs. water = (80,000 ppm) x (2.5 Lbs. Product
analysis. Note: use a clean bottle and do not
Added) (24 ppm – 0 ppm molybdate as Mo+6) =
reuse the bottle. Be careful to collect sample
8333 LBs. or 1000 gallons of system volume (i.e.,
away from where the chemical is added to avoid
8333 LBs/8.33 LBs/gallon).
sampling a concentration pocket of tracer.
It is important to accurately measure the quantity of
6. As always, clearly label sample; request a
tracer added and to add enough so that the “Test”
molybdate analysis, note name & quantity of
molybdate can be easily detected. To ensure
molybdate product added.
reasonable test accuracy 2.5 Lbs. to 5.0 Lbs. of
FORMULA 1250 should be added for each 1,000
7. Testing onsite with a molybdate colorimeter
gallons of water anticipated in the system (less if
should yield accurate results.
powder molybdate/FORMULA 1920 is used).
MISCELLANEOUS
As noted, the presence of background molybdate
should be accounted for and may require a
Sodium molybdate salt can be reported in different
somewhat higher dose of molybdate to improve test
ways. For example, many field tests will report
accuracy.
sodium molybdate salt as Mo+6 (molybdenum) or as
Na2MoO4 (sodium molybdate). The raw material
A second, perhaps simpler, calculation can be used
often used is sodium molybdate dihydrate and so the
to calculate volume and is based on the concept that
product sodium molybdate concentration may be
1 LB of product added to 1000 gallons will give 120
reported as Na2MoO4 2H2O (sodium molybdate
ppm product concentration:
dihydrate). Below are the molecular weights for
these various forms of sodium molybdate reporting
[120 ppm/LBadded to 1000 gal x LBs (active molybdate
and some guide on converting from one to another.
added, as Mo+6) measured molybdate, as ppm
Mo+6] x 1000 gallons = gallons of system volume
Mo+6 = MW of 96
Na2MoO4 = MW of 206
TEST IMPLEMENTATION & PRECAUTIONS
Na2MoO4 2H2O = MW of 242
1. Collect sample of water from system before
Mo+6 to Na2MoO4 , multiply by 2.15 (206/96)
molybdate addition (even if it is thought to be
untreated) to ensure study accuracy.
Mo+6 to Na2MoO4 2H2O, multiply by 2.50 (242/96)
2. Make an initial estimate of system volume, and
add 2.5 LB to 5.0 LB of FORMULA 1250 per Na2MoO4 to Na2MoO4 2H2O, multiply by 1.17 (242/206)
1,000 gallons of water in system. You can use
less (0.5 LB to 1.0 LB if adding FORMULA 1920 Na2MoO4 to Mo+6, multiply by 0.47 (96/206)
(powder molybdate concentrate). More of both
molybdate products may be required if Na2MoO4 2H2O to Mo+6, multiply by 0.40 (96/242)
background molybdate is present.
Na2MoO4 2H2O to Na2MoO4, multiply by 0.85 (206/242)
3. Discontinue system bleedoff while molybdate
tracer is being mixed into the circulating water
(this especially applies to open recirculating
systems). Add the entire amount of tracer as a
slug over a very short period of time.

1998 Eastern Technologies Incorporated, P.O. Box 269, Morgantown, PA 19543-0269. All rights reserved.

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